After Juventus took Arturo Vidal off the transfer market, Antonio Labbate takes a closer look at the club’s sales policy under the rule of BeppeMarotta.

“Arturo Vidal was a smart choice by the club, while the Coach has made the most of him. It is clear that some of the biggest teams in the world are looking at him and we are not hiding that fact. But our desire is to keep him because Juventus have never been a selling club, we are an outfit that wants to continue growing to target more important trophies. And Vidal is an indispensable figure.”

Juventus director general BeppeMarotta thus made it clear that their midfielder – after links with Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich – would remain in Turin this summer. He sounded pretty categorical, but then again, what else was he going to say?

There is no doubt that Juventus want to keep their Chilean ball-winner. He’s become a vital cog in Antonio Conte’sBianconero machine. After all, had he not been signed for what has turned out to be a bargain €10.5m in 2011, then we may never have seen the 4-3-3 and then 3-5-2 from a Coach who was initially viewed as a strict 4-4-2/4-2-4 aficionado. Vidal has been a key acquisition.

Yet it is easy to say in April that Vidal won’t leave, it may be somewhat harder if an interested club puts €20m, €25m, €30m, whatever amount on the table for him in the summer. There will undoubtedly be a figure where a desire to keep will be turned into a temptation to sell. Every player, or virtually every player, has his price.

Selling Vidal should be an option that Juve consider, but not for at least another season. Putting the clear footballing reasons to one side, you have to ponder the financial aspects. Vidal, at the age of 25, is still not at the peak of his game. As such, his market value has yet to reach its summit. Keep him in Turin for another campaign or two and watch his price tag increase. If you are going to cash in on an asset then that is the time to do it.

Marotta’s argument that Juventus are not a selling club doesn’t strictly ring true. They haven’t been under his directorship, but this is an outfit who often cashed in on high profile stars during the self sufficient days of LucianoMoggi, Antonio Giraudo and Roberto Bettega. They sold the likes of Roberto Baggio, Christian Vieri, ZinedineZidane and PippoInzaghi to help finance the arrival of new players such as GigiBuffon, PavelNedved, LilianThuram et al. They made the system work while the Agnelli family funds were used elsewhere.

More than one Juventus employee last week looked to the difference in financial strengths between themselves and Europe’s biggest when trying to explain the 4-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich. But if you can’t compete in the revenue stakes, then the transfer market does offer you an avenue by selling players. Granted, that is not as simple as it sounds given that you have to do it in a way to make sure your side’s competitiveness is not negatively offset. But it is an option that should be explored.

Marotta has clearly had few problems spending money since his arrival in the summer of 2010, indeed, he’s actually spent more than Bayern in the last three years. And that is not a criticism of him or his buys, a number of whom spectacularly flopped. No transfer chief is immune to signings that don’t come off. The worrying aspect is his inability to sell players at a profit and move some unwanted individuals on, which have then had consequences on the wage bill.

In the summer of 2010, Juve spent €56m on new faces and collected €37m in sales. A year later, they shelled out a massive €85m and brought in just €14m. Last summer, €55m went out and only €17m came in. The club lost €11.5m on MilosKrasic and EljeroElia alone. Marotta has only sold one player in Turin for over €10m and that was Diego to Wolfsburg.

La Signora also failed to get Amauri’s €3.8m salary off their wage bill until six months before his contract was set to expire, while VincenzoIaquinta – frozen out of the squad this term – is still the club’s third highest paid player behind GigiBuffon and Andrea Pirlo. Add a bit more to Iaquinta’s €3m a year deal and you have a top player’s salary.

The tales of Amauri and Iaquinta illustrate that if you continually opt to reject or fail in the sales of certain players, then you run the risk of never making a return on whatever you’ve shelled out in terms of a transfer fee.

There are a few players in the present squad who may soon be contenders to be included in such a bracket. All are in attack. MirkoVucinic, Fabio Quagliarella and Alessandro Matri roughly cost the Turin giants €15m each. The first two players are 29, the latter 28. How much would they be worth today? How much in 12 months’ time? The line graph would probably be falling south.

One of those three will surely have to be released for a decent amount at the end of the season, possibly even two depending on who else, as well as Fernando Llorente, will come in for 2013-14. And although Vucinic is clearly Conte’s first choice striker, he shouldn’t be untouchable because he’s ultimately taking up a striker role in the side despite clearly not being the most clinical finisher in the League.

Selling for the sake of selling is evidently ludicrous, but one would presume that a club such as Juventus would also understand that there does come a time when saying goodbye makes sense.

Definitely 'NO' to the sale of Vidal. Juve need to keep quality players like him - he was missed against Bayern in Turin. The players I would like to see come in to strenghten around him for a Champions League push next season would be: Zlatan Ibrahimovic - rumoured to be interested to a return to Turin, Marco Verratti and if seeing you news on here today Arjen Robben would be nice too ! Should Man U be open to selling him then Nemanja Vidic would fit as an experience, quality defender.

on the 25th April, 2013 at 6:34pm

JuveFanatico

Vucinic should not be up for debate. He may not be the best forward but when he plays Juve plays much more aggressively and has much more of a rhythm. If anyone should leave it should be Giovinco or Matri. I like both lads but neither has left me impressed.

on the 23rd April, 2013 at 12:29pm

JuveFanatico

Not sure if anyone else is reading this blog anymore. However just wanted to reaffirm my earlier statement. Bundesliga is and will remain a breeding ground of talented players to be sold to Bayern. Another proof if any was needed has arrived. Mario Gotze Borusia Dortmunds jewel is leaving Dortmund to go to their arch rivals Bayern. 37Mil. As i said before two players 80mil. in two seasons. Can Juve even afford to spend 25mil for one player?

on the 23rd April, 2013 at 12:26pm

JuveFan83

Selling Vidal would be the biggest transfer mistake for Juve ever. He plays with a Juve heart, he loves the team, and always gives 200%. He is a fan favorite and I got his Jersey. There is no player I think of that could replace him. He fights for the ball on both halfs of the field. We need to get rid of Vucinic first as he clearly is useless. If we want to be a power in Europe we need to keep Vidal at any coast.

on the 22nd April, 2013 at 11:37pm

Mikkel

Selling Pogba and Vidal are NOT an option. Otherwise we will lose 6-0 to Bayern.

on the 22nd April, 2013 at 8:55am

Andy

@ Socrates: You are indeed confused. Juve don't want to sell the player. It's only the opinion of the author of this blog post that Juve should sell him.

on the 20th April, 2013 at 6:08pm

Jack

@ Marco

Would you agree that Claudio's best position could be the role he played at Lazio on Monday. His link-up with Vucinic was fantastic and if he had played that role against Bayern he would have been a lot more effective. I don't believe he has the physicality or passing ability to play midfield against Europe's elite three (Real, Barcelona and Bayern). I don't want Claudio to leave, not at all, but maybe he needs a new role to bring out the best of him at Champions League level.

on the 20th April, 2013 at 1:46pm

Jack

Juventus have no intention of selling Vidal and are looking to extend his contract. He is the best midfielder at the club and the most important, in terms of Conte's style of play. He changed his ethos to accommodate Vidal and he is one of the main reason's our midfield is so dominant in Italy and we are 7 points away from back-to-back Scudetto's. More is needed in midfield to compete with Europe's elite, but that will take time. Arturo can become a midfield legend like Tardelli and Davids.

on the 20th April, 2013 at 1:19pm

Socrates

I don't understand Juventus. It has one of the best players of Europe and they want to sell him. If you want to compete with the greatest teams of Europe why do you want to sell Vidal. What you are doing is to make some profits, quick money, you are not building a great team. There is something very wrong with Juventus way of doing business. If Guardiola and Real the Madrid want Vidal is because the guy is a tremendous player. Juventus, you are confusing me.

on the 20th April, 2013 at 8:31am

Jack

@ Marco

If you read my comment, you will see I stated that if it was a choice between Marchisio or Vidal I would let Claudio go. This doesn't mean I want Juventus to sell him. As I also stated, Claudio is a top player in Serie A, but he didn't have one "bad day at the office" he probably his two worst performances in black and white. I actually forgot he was playing in both games against Bayern, such were his inept performances. Schweinsteiger and Martinez ran all over him in both games.

on the 20th April, 2013 at 5:29am

Moggi's apostle

@ Moggi's sim card

You remind me of Inzaghi, just sitting in a corner waiting to shoot. Clearly a Juve backstabber. If their was a deathmatch between Juve and the rest I know which side you'd choose. This is no day out with the family, it is a true Standoff where you need more than shoes (brand: Camper). Happy sniping! PS: Even Moratti doesn't quit before a game is finished

on the 20th April, 2013 at 12:38am

imata

No, we can not sell vidal, and we can not sell vuc. Vuc is a quality player, but he is not a finnisher, he is the creator up top. Sell matri for sure, and keep quags for depth, unless he wants to leave. I do not know what to do with gio, it seems like he tries to hard, he can/should be much better but hes not. I do not want llorente, he better not be a guaranteed starter, he will not solve our problems

on the 19th April, 2013 at 10:46pm

forzajuvebl88

Vidal is a great player but juve have many great players. Every player has its price but juve need to build round pogba vidal n marchisio. Get iaquinta off the books and spend it! And bendtner n anelka while ur at it. Sign a top striker and ucl is in our sights. Forzajuve!

on the 19th April, 2013 at 8:31pm

Juvethroughandthrough

I agree with Marco why sell marchisio he is perfectly suited to us and long may it continue.......

Gio you've lost the plot mate, vucinic is class and his link up play Monday night proved that....yes he isn't an out and out striker but he links up midfield nicely....lets hope he links up nicely with llorente

FORZA JUVE.....

on the 19th April, 2013 at 8:08pm

Moh

The difference between Vidal and Zidane is that Vidal is more useful to the team then Zidane ever was. Don't get me wrong, Zidane was great but as the *real Moggi* said, he was more spectacular to watch then useful to the team which ineviatably led to his sale.

The sale of Baggio mystifies some, but it was a good decision otherwise we would not have seen Del Piero.

If Juve did sell Vidal, who do they replace him with ? Pogba is fantastic but still immature to put it lightly, he needs time...

on the 19th April, 2013 at 7:46pm

Thomas

Funds should be raised from selling 1 or 2 strikers. A winger should also be sold - giaccherini or Pepe. With Llorente joining I don't really see where Juventus needs to spend much money. The defence is quality as is the back up. The central midfield is backed by Pogba and the striking department will improve with llorente. I think maybe sell Quagliarella, Melo, Giaccherini (for himself to have a good career), Ziegler & Motta.

What's Iaquinta doing these days?

on the 19th April, 2013 at 7:16pm

old lady from glasgow

no way should juve contemplate this idea. if juve want to progress and i believe they do, then they have to keep their best players and keep strengthening. the idea of Vidal being sold will rear its ugly head every transfer window but the time to sell is not now. its just the beginning of a cycle for juve and they need to keep the backbone of their recent success.

on the 19th April, 2013 at 6:30pm

juve...the best

Let me make it clear......NO, NO, NO

clearly he is our best player.....he is also happy at juve. juve need world class left back and a great striker, sell matri, play giovinco more often.

on the 19th April, 2013 at 6:30pm

Marco - Portsmouth

@ Jack - what planet are you on to suggest Juve should sell Marchisio? This is one of our youth products and time and time again he has proved that he is NOT out of his depth...There are players bought in years gone by who have been out of their depth, Amauri, Felipe Melo to name but a few. The current midfield trio is one to be respected and put alongside the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and AN Other at Barca. Everyone has a bad day at the office, he (Marchisio) is human after all. Forza Claudio!!

on the 19th April, 2013 at 5:26pm

Gio

Juve don't have the luxury of high quality depth yet to consider selling the few excellent players that we have. That luxury is three or four years away. Selling Vidal shouldn't be on the table for discussion. There are other players that need to go this summer. Vuc is def one if we can bring in a Jovetic or Suarez. Vuc is not a CF and never will be. For every good signing, Marrotta makes 2 bad ones. The good ones seem more like happy accidents, based more on being free or cheap transfers.

on the 19th April, 2013 at 5:14pm

LondonJuveBoy

sell him..................are you nuts he is the strength within our team

on the 19th April, 2013 at 4:59pm

Jack

The criticism of Marotta is very harsh. He didn't spend the 80 million on Amauri, Poulsen, Diego and Felipe Melo. He did steel Barzagli for 300k, bought Vidal and Lichtsteiner for 10m each, Pirlo and Pogba on free transfers and Bonucci, who is developing into a top defender and will only get better. Stop beating him with the Martinez stick, because he has had many more successes than failures. He also helped in bringing Antonio Conte back home and for that we should be ever grateful.

on the 19th April, 2013 at 4:54pm

Jack

I would say that right now Vidal is our most valuable player and virtually irreplaceable. He could play in any midfield in the world and instantly make them a better team. Ask me right now for a world 11 and Vidal would be in there. We haven't had a player like Vidal since Edgar Davids and I believe he will only get better and more influential. I would sell Marchisio before Vidal, because whilst he is a top player in Serie A, the Bayern games proved that he is out of his depth at that level.

on the 19th April, 2013 at 4:35pm

^nighthawk^

They have Isla who if kept fit like at Udinese has proven he can play wingback, winger to some extent and ball winning midfielder.

So keep Vidal for now as he is a great player, but I have a feeling Isla could do his job if required.

on the 19th April, 2013 at 4:28pm

chris, japan

do NOT sell him for at least 3-4 years. He is an amazing force in midfield. An putting the Bayern 4-0 loss down to less spending is foolish- Bayern spent very little on Vam Buyten, Aleba and Dante, and Schweinsteiger, Muller, Lahm are home grown players. The simple fact is that Bayern have been at the top of world football for 3 years, and Juve have just arrived here. They are just more settled, and also super determined because of their final defeat(s). Juventus are new to the C.L. that's all.

on the 19th April, 2013 at 4:11pm

PaoloD

Absolutley not! Do not sell Vidal. Juventus have a strong D and midfield. With Llorente next year, they have a threat in the air, and add one or two more players (one more forward and midfielder). I am confident this team will do better next year in the Champions League. The team has a strong chemistry and this is very difficult to find and takes time to build. They learned some good lessons against Bayern which they will build upon for next year.

on the 19th April, 2013 at 3:44pm

Viktor

@charles

Except for messi or c. Ronaldo? Yeah neymar too? Calm down and be realistic

on the 19th April, 2013 at 2:48pm

Moggi's Sim Card

@ Moggi’s Solar Panel – Sorry to Drone on but looks like you had a bad night last night, did your Apostle get Hijacked? Marotta has the better Express connections advantage and has wasted a ‘Lago’ of financial resources recetly but he still loses out to more refined opponents. You are more suited to Moratti’s Camp, cheating & placing the blame elsewhere, not accepting defeat. Maybe your Nasal Lawnmower got taken away as a baby?! Vidal is the main Carrier of this team!YEMAAAAN!

on the 19th April, 2013 at 2:47pm

Anonymous

pointless article, pointless comparison...

on the 19th April, 2013 at 2:37pm

A AZIZ

Our desire is to keep him.I doubt this statement honestly.I dont think juve can keep this player considering pogba is growing so fast.

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